Key Highlights
- The heavyweight bout between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former world champion Anthony Joshua is set for Friday, December 19.
- Joshua is the overwhelming favorite due to his superior fighting resume and physical advantages over Paul.
- The fight will be held at the Kaseya Center in Miami, with live coverage on Netflix.
- Potential purse figures suggest both fighters could earn their largest paydays ever.
Fight Card and Key Details: Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
The highly anticipated heavyweight bout between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former world champion Anthony Joshua is set for Friday, December 19. This match-up marks a significant moment in both fighters’ careers, with the winner poised to elevate their status within the boxing community.
Bout Location and Viewing Options
The heavyweight contest will be staged at the Kaseya Center in Miami, United States. The venue can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators for boxing matches. For those unable to attend live, Al Jazeera’s live text ary and photo coverage of the fight night will begin at 23:30 GMT on Friday, December 19. Additionally, the entire fight card will be available worldwide exclusively on Netflix, allowing all subscribers to stream the event at no extra cost.
Fight Odds and Potential Prize Money
Despite not having fought for over a year, Joshua remains the overwhelming favorite. He has a substantial height and weight advantage, making him the bookie’s choice to win. According to Odds via FanDuel (subject to change), the betting lines suggest:
- Jake Paul: +700
- Anthony Joshua: -1300
The potential fight purse is a point of contention. Initially reported as $184 million, Paul has since claimed on social media that the fight will actually be worth a staggering $267 million, though no evidence to support this figure has been provided.
Background and Fighting Records
Jake Paul, 28, began his boxing career in 2020. His professional record stands at 12-1, with the only loss coming against Tommy Fury. Prior to this bout, he gained worldwide fame by defeating legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson in November 2024.
Anthony Joshua, on the other hand, is a two-time unified heavyweight world champion.
He holds titles from April 2016 to June 2019 and again from December 2019 to September 2021 after reclaiming them in a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua has fought several notable heavyweights including Usyk, Dubois, and Klitschko.
Pre-Fight Statements from Paul and Joshua
Paul is confident of a victory via knockout in the fifth round. He stated, “I’m here to go out there and shock the world,” and added, “He’s one of the best heavyweights ever.” However, he acknowledged that Joshua’s size presents challenges: “Fighting a smaller man can be harder for a heavyweight because of the speed difference and foot speed.” Meanwhile, Joshua is taking the fight seriously despite his status as the favorite. He noted, “You can’t underestimate anyone,” and emphasized the need to cut Paul up and break him down.
Coinciding Events: Co-Card and Preliminary Matches
The co-main event will feature an all-North American women’s matchup with Alycia Baumgardner of the United States defending her IBF & WBO super-featherweight titles against Canadian challenger Leila Beaudoin. The main card, which includes Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua, begins at 8pm (01:00 GMT on Saturday).
The full undercard and preliminary matches are as follows:
- Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua – heavyweight (8x3min rounds)
- Alycia Baumgardner vs Leila Beaudoin – IBF & WBO super-featherweight world titles (12x3min rounds)
- Anderson Silva vs Tyron Woodley – cruiserweight (6x3min rounds)
- Jahmal Harvey vs Kevin Cervantes – featherweight (6x3min rounds)
- Preliminary card:
- Cerneka Johnson vs Amanda Galle – undisputed bantamweight title (10x2min rounds)
- Yokasta Valle vs Yadira Bustillos – WBC strawweight world title (10x2min rounds)
- Avious Griffin vs Justin Cardona – welterweight (8x3min rounds)
This comprehensive match-up promises to deliver a thrilling night of boxing, with key moments and expert analysis from Al Jazeera’s dedicated coverage team.
